A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Rome for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Rome?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Rome. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a cultural, welcoming, and natural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Rome

Rome is a archeological, bustling, and fun-filled city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Chiang Mai and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Rome?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rome than Chiang Mai. Rome is bigger than Chiang Mai, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rome is better known for its nightlife, music, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Chiang Mai is more popular for its historical sights and hiking. Chiang Mai is well known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Rome is well known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. Also, Rome is famous for The Colosseum.

The Colosseum

How is Chiang Mai different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rome and Chiang Mai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Mai or Rome?

Spend time exploring the fantastic sights and museums in either Chiang Mai or Rome.

Travelers visit Chiang Mai from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Rome are among the most recognizable in the world. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

Is the Food Better in Chiang Mai or Rome? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Chiang Mai and Rome both to be fantastic destinations.

Eat your way through Chiang Mai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

For foodies, Rome is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

Is Chiang Mai or Rome Better for Nightlife?

Rome is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

People head to Rome just to party. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

Chiang Mai offers plenty to do in the evening. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Is Chiang Mai or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is a world-class destination for live music. However, Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Rome is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Rome Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.

Chiang Mai is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Rome Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Rome is not a hiking destination.

Around Chiang Mai visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Rome?

If you're looking to go shopping, Chiang Mai and Rome both offer plenty of fantastic spots.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Chiang Mai. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

The abundance of shops in Rome make it a world-class shopping destination. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

Is Chiang Mai or Rome Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Rome are very good family-friendly destinations.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly destination. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

Rome is a very kid-friendly city. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Is Chiang Mai or Rome Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai and Rome both very good destinations for a couple.

Chiang Mai is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Rome is a very popular place to visit for couples. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Chiang Mai and Rome are fantastic places to visit.

Many backpackers frequent Chiang Mai. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rome. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

Is Chiang Mai or Rome Better for Students?

Rome is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Rome is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Is Chiang Mai or Rome Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rome is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Rome can get you around easily. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Chiang Mai has a few public transit options. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Is Chiang Mai or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Rome is a very easy city to get around on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable place. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

For even more information, also check out Is Chiang Mai Worth Visiting? and Is Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Rome?

Both Chiang Mai and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Rome has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rome than Chiang Mai. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

Couples should spend more time in Rome than Chiang Mai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Chiang Mai if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Rome.

One day in Chiang Mai or Rome?

Chiang Mai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With live music and food around the archeological city of Rome, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Rome?

Chiang Mai is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With food and shopping around the big city destination of Rome, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Rome?

Chiang Mai is a welcoming big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Rome, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Rome?

Chiang Mai is a temple-filled city where you can fill many days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Rome is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Rome, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Rome is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome than you might in Chiang Mai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Rome Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Rome, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Rome?

Rome has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Rome in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Rome. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Rome because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Rome. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Rome during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Rome. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Chiang Mai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Rome. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Rome averages at about 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Rome. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Rome in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Rome. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Rome during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chiang Mai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rome. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Rome and Chiang Mai